Kia sets pace with standard-stuffed Sorento; much to like about handsome crossover

Originally published: May 17, 2011

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The Kia Sorento is all new for 2011 and a good example why the Korean company has grown so quickly in recent years.

The new crossover has good looks going for it, but its main advantage is it comes loaded with numerous standard features. Standard on the Kia Sorento are items such as fog lights, locking centre differential, six-speed automatic transmission, heated seats, rear parking sensor and alloy wheels.

For 2011, Kia abandoned the bodyon-frame design typical of pickup trucks for the lighter unibody design used in the majority of new cars. Hardcore off-roaders will bemoan that design change, but Kia hasn’t totally ignored the Sorento’s potential for competent off-road use. When the going gets tough, the driver can call upon the centre-locking differential and electronic aids -hill assist control and downhill braking control -to keep the vehicle moving.

The Sorento’s new sheet metal is conservative but shapely and is complemented by a well-designed interior. The main instrument cluster is a model of legibility, and the centrestack is correctly designed with audio display and controls at the top and the lesser-used dual-zone climate controls below.

And hallelujah, heated front seats are standard equipment on all Sorentos. (Note to the “establishment: ” if you want to get back some lost market share from Kia and Subaru in Canada, make heated seats standard equipment.) Nationally, Kia has captured 3.7 per cent of total new light vehicle sales for this year, according to auto industry analyst Dennis DesRosiers.

The plastic trim used in the Sorento didn’t impress me like it did in the superb Kia Sportage. It’s shinier than I’d like, but the rest of the interior is quite nice. The black, cloth seats are comfortable and the driver’s seat includes height adjustment. The second-row (60/40 split) seat backs recline, and they’re easy to fold, creating a convenient, flat cargo floor.

Living with the new Sorento is a no-fuss affair. Keyless entry and push-button start means never having to fumble with keys. As long as the electronic fob is on your person, one thumb press on the door handle unlocks the driver side and two presses unlocks all doors. An electronic button on the handle of the liftgate unlocks it. Nice.

On the road, the Kia’s 276-horsepower, 3.5-litre DOHC V-6 is the Sorento’s outstanding feature. The engine is sweet and powerful. Acceleration is excellent and the six-speed automatic transmission is smooth and responsive, downshifting quickly when the gas pedal is stabbed and upshifting seamlessly when the throttle is lifted.

While many crossover utility vehicles are engineered to drive like cars, the new Kia Sorento is more truck-like. The front MacPherson struts with coil springs and rear multi-link suspension give a hard ride. And while the steering lacks feel, that’s fairly typical among crossover utility vehicles. Handling is also typical of the segment -solid but not sporty -and the majority of buyers shopping for a CUV won’t find anything wrong with how this vehicle drives.

Serious competition for the Sorento comes from Toyota. The RAV4 4WD V-6, which is truly a base model that lacks the numerous features that are standard on the Kia, has an MSRP of $29,845. The Sorento’s advantages over the Toyota are a ton of standard features (the RAV4 comes with steel wheels, you can’t get heated seats on low-line RAV4s, etc.) and a fuel tank that’s eight litres larger than the RAV4’s.

With a comparable fuel economy rating to the RAV4 V-6 AWD’s, the Sorento can be driven further between fill-ups. (This could be a major attraction for women. According to auto industry research, women say refuelling a vehicle is one of the most despised chores of car ownership.)

Overall, there isn’t much to complain about with Kia’s redesigned Sorento. The crossover’s hard ride and average handling don’t take the shine off what is a good CUV. Fit and finish are good, and the V-6 engine is excellent (although the demo unit emitted a buzz at certain r.p.m.s -likely a rattling heat shield easily fixed by a dealer.)

At an MSRP of $31,095, the 2011 Kia Sorento LX V-6 AWD will appeal to those seeking a well-spec’d, handsome people/cargo hauler with the security of all-wheel-drive and a powerful V-6 engine.